Lens has now played under Advocaat three times in his career, but he has confirmed to the BBC that the Dutch boss’s departure has not meant that he will look for a move away from Sunderland in the January transfer window.

Lens said: “It was not the way I hoped it would start. But you know anything can happen in football. You know if results aren't there the manager is the first person they're going to sack. I didn't only make my choice to join [for] the boss. Otherwise I have to follow him everywhere.”

Lens has yet to live up to his reputation this season, following his summer arrival from Dynamo Kyiv, having been brought to Sunderland by Advocaat.

Advocaat had coached the Dutch winger twice before in his career, and although there have been no concrete reports about Lens leaving Wearside in January, there have beens suggestions that he could look for a move away following Advocate’s exit from the club.

Advocaat left his role after just eight Premier League games this season, having failed to pick up a single victory with a new look side following a wealth of transfer business completed over the summer.

He was swiftly replaced by Sam Allardyce, who lost his first game in charge, before picking up Sunderland’s first three points of the season at the weekend, defeating local rivals Newcastle 3-0.

He appears to have brought more direction to the side, and although Lens will not be playing under a favourite manager of his, he is likely to flourish in Allardyce’s system, which features a heavy use of wingers in the attacking zones.

Lens has yet to truly impress at the Stadium of Light this season, but knowing that he is committed to the club despite Adovcaat’s exit will bring great hope to Sunderland fans for Premier League survival this season.

Billy Hawkins

Billy is a freelance writer who contributes to various sites concerning football. Known to possess an obsession with statistics, Eastern European club sides, and Victorian football, he focuses upon the untapped potential of the Football League in the belief it is more enjoyable than the Premier League.